Starc tames Aussie rock star amid World Cup news

As news emerged Jake Fraser McGurk could miss the T20 World Cup squad, he was rolled by Mitchell Starc in India but not before swatting him for 10 runs in two balls.

Fraser-McGurk has been pushed by most pundits to bolt into the Australian squad for the tournament that begins in just over a month on the back of three stunning innings for the Delhi Capitals where he’s being coached by Ricky Ponting.

But it’s been reported the 22-year-old dynamo won’t make the final 15, with selectors opting to stick with most of the squad that failed to defend their title in Australia in 2022.

That squad included Starc, who has battled in the IPL having been signed for a record $4.43m by the Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the competition’s most expensive ever player.

Given the chance to take down the veteran speedster, Fraser-McGurk, opening for Delhi again after his blistering 27-ball innings of 84 in the previous game, scrambled singles off the first two balls he faced from Starc.

But then he unleashed, smashing Starc for six over wide long-on and four though backward point.

With a head of steam rolling Fraser-McGurk, who goes all out attacking more than any other player in the competition, mis-hit Starc to deep square leg where Venkatest Iyer took the catch, his ending innings with 12 runs off seven balls.

While he netted the crucial wicket of his fellow Australian, Starc’s night wasn’t all rosy. He went for another 43 runs from his four overs, including 15 in his final over.

Starc has bowled 28 overs in the tournament, his World Cup lead-up, taken seven wickets at 47.14 apiece and been hit for 330 runs – an economy rate of 11.78, or almost two runs per ball.

Fraser-McGurk on the other hand has thrived since being given an opportunity due to an injury to David Warner, who will go to the World Cup, smashing 259 runs in six games with three 50s.

But having never played a T20 for his country, and despite an increased push from plenty, including Ponting, to “fast track” him into the team, Fraser-McGurk is set to miss the squad along with Steve Smith.